Ivy Bonsai Care

Ivy, known more often as English Ivy or Hedera Helix, is an evergreen creeping/growing vine.

It’s is considered invasive and is a very aggressive grower, which actually means it is very easy to care for.

In 2016 I removed some ivy from a garden and potted it up. You can see how it is developing in my Ivy Bonsai Progression.

What Is The Natural Habitat Of Ivy?

Ivy is native to most of Europe and Asia. As well as parts of North Africa.

It has also been introduced to North America and Australia. Once it is established it is very hard to get rid of as it will spread very easily. It will basically grow in any environment.

What Soil Does Ivy Bonsai Need?

I use a well draining soil for my Ivy bonsai. My standard mix of equal parts Perlite/Molar Clay/Compost works fine.

However, I imagine Ivy can withstand any type of soil as I’ve found it growing in some terrible soils in the garden.

Obviously for fine root development a looser gritter soil will be more productive, so you should try and give it the best soil you can.

(For more info on soil read – A General Guide To Bonsai Soil)

How Do You Water An Ivy Bonsai?

I keep my Ivy bonsai moist at all times. I have let it dry out for a short time by accident and it was fine, but this is not suggested.

I have also found Ivy growing in damp horrible clay like soil, again not advised, but Ivy is tough and can handle most things. I would try and just keep things balanced and moist at all times. A good soil and watering regime will keep an Ivy very happy.

(For more info you can read –How To Water A Bonsai)

How Much Sun Light Does An Ivy Bonsai Need?

Ivy can handle most light conditions.

I’ve read to keep them in partial shade. I keep mine ivy bonsai outside in full sun and its fine. Ive never had any leaf burn or anything like that.

I have also found it naturally growing in the dense undergrowth where it its light is very limited, so I really believe it will grow in any conditions, even as a bonsai. Of course the more light you give it, the more aggressivly it will grow.

How Hardy Are Ivy Bonsai?

Ivy is fully hardy in the UK.

It can handle temperatures down to -10°C / 14°F. In a pot it may not be as capable of this, but then again, Ivy is pretty tough, even as a bonsai.

If the temperature is getting this low I would suggest you shelter it in a cold greenhouse or shed, just to be safe and to keep the extreme cold off it.

How Often Do You Feed An Ivy Bonsai?

I feed my Ivy bonsai once a month during the growing season with a general purpose fertiliser and this keeps it healthy.

(For more info you can read – Do You Need To Use “Bonsai” Fertiliser?)

How Do Ivy Bonsai Respond to Pruning?

Ivy bonsai responds well to pruning and will send out new shoots very easily. It can be pruned back to 2 or 3 leaves on each branch to build ramification.

Ivy is a vine, so it will get long and leggy fast, so it will need pruned to keep it in shape

(For more info you can read- How To Prune A Bonsai Tree)

Repotting An Ivy Bonsai

Ivy bonsai should be repotted in spring as the new leaf buds begin to swell and can be root pruned aggressively.

Again, Ivy is tough, you could probably repot it at any time and it wouldn’t notice.

Ivy can actually root from anywhere, it has this strange power to turn any part of it into new roots. This means it doesn’t really matter what you do it it, it will probably survive and just keep growing new roots.

This is why it is so difficult to get rid of it in a garden once it takes place.

(For more info you can read – How To Repot A Bonsai Tree)

Wiring An Ivy Bonsai

Ivy is a vine, so it does not grow in a natural upright tree like form, so wiring is probably going to be essential to get a basic bonsai shape for it.

Once you have the main structure set you can use clip and grow to build out foliage pads.

(For more info read – Why Do We Wire Bonsai?)

What Is The Leaf Pattern Of An Ivy Bonsai?

Ivy has alternating leaves on its branches. It is an evergreen but you may find it can be semi deciduous at times.

I find mine will drop a few leaves, but the majority of them stay on, but they get this interesting purple hue to them, then in spring they return to their dark green colour.

What Pests Does An Ivy Bonsai Suffer From?

Ivy bonsai does not have any specific pest issues. It can be targeted by any garden pest.

However, I have never had any issues with it so far. If you ask most people, they will tell you that its the ivy that is the pest, since it is so invasive.

Can You Propagate An Ivy Bonsai?

Ivy bonsai can very easily be propagated from cuttings.

It can also propagate from root cuttings. In the landscape it is difficult to fully remove ivy. If all the roots are not removed, the plant will regrow from any chopped roots or from any branch that is left behind.

You literally have to remove every last piece of it if you want rid of it. It is probably one of the most easy plants to propagate. Just need any section of it.. of any size, and you will get it to root.

What Is The Growth Rate Of An Ivy Bonsai?

Ivy is fast growing, but as it is a vine it is slow to thicken. Thickening the trunk can take a lot of time and effort.

Even ivy growing in the ground is very thin, it normally grow by stretching out far and wide, rather than thickening up. I have seen some thick vines, but they where extremely long, so it is possible, it just isn’t easy when growing in a bonsai pot.

Should You Get An Ivy Bonsai?

Ivy is an interesting tree, well really its a vine. It not the most ideal species to use for bonsai, but you can work with it. It is probably best for some one at an intermediate level of bonsai skills.

Although it is nearly indestructible and fast growing, it lacks a natural tree shape or thickness. Some wiring and styling skills will be needed to train it into a decent shaped bonsai.

As a general plant, it is very beginner friendly. You can read more information about Is Ivy A Good Tree For Bonsai?.